System and method of detecting, neutralizing, and containing suspected contaminated articles
A comprehensive system and method of rendering the mail safe for handling and for detecting and containing suspect pieces and which can be fitted or retrofitted into mail and package processing facilities with relative ease. The system of the present invention includes a mail tray initial neutralizing sub-system, a subsequent neutralizing sub-system, an analyzing (potentially hazardous material detection) sub-system, a diverting mechanism, and a receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket). All components can be controlled or operate in conjunction with a processing/computing sub-system. A feeder sub-system provides the mail from trays, after initial neutralization by the initial neutralizing sub-system, to the mail transport system.
Latest Lockheed Martin Corporation Patents:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/344,843 filed on Dec. 31, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to the containment and detection of hazardous material in a mail sorting facility, and, more particularly to the detection, neutralization, and generating an alarm signal notifying others of contamination occurring as a result of objects such as mail being transported over a transport system.
Recently there has been increased awareness of the potential for large-scale introduction of hazardous materials, that is, either explosives or biological organisms to create chaos or to harm an intended set of victims. One potential delivery method that terrorists or other criminals utilize to deliver such hazardous materials is through the mail or other form of a delivery. In so doing damage, not only is damage incurred by the intended victims, but also to any set of potential victims that may be in a position of handling such objects as the mail during the delivery or distribution process.
Biological agents being purposely mailed may pose hazards to postal workers and the population at large. The biological agents can escape from envelopes during processing and leave dangerous residues on the exteriors of envelopes and packages, and may also contaminate the trays or tubs that are used to carry such pieces.
Currently, one solution available is to irradiate entire cages of mail at one time. However, the expense of irradiating all of the nation's mail can be prohibitive. A fast, comprehensive, effective and inexpensive method is required.
There currently is a need for a comprehensive system and method of rendering the mail safe for handling and for detecting and containing suspect pieces. In addition, there is a need for systems that can be fitted or retrofitted into mail and package processing facilities with relative ease. Furthermore there is a need for a method for automatically warning if biological agents are present in the mail being processed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA comprehensive system and method of rendering the mail safe for handling and for detecting and containing suspect pieces and which can be fitted or retrofitted into mail and package processing facilities with relative ease are disclosed.
The system of the present invention includes a mail tray initial neutralizing sub-system, a subsequent neutralizing sub-system, a analyzing (potentially hazardous material detection) sub-system, a diverting mechanism, and a receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket). All components can be controlled or operate in conjunction with a processing/computing sub-system. A feeder sub-system provides the mail from trays, after initial neutralization by the initial neutralizing sub-system, to the mail transport system. Although the system is shown with the three above-mentioned components, it should be noted that alternative systems can be configured with more components or fewer components depending on system specifications. Therefore, three components are shown for illustration purposes and should not be considered a limitation to the invention.
The process of initial neutralizing the mail items is initiated by receiving of an incoming tray, the mail items being disposed inside the incoming tray. The mail items in the incoming tray are exposed to neutralizing radiation while the incoming tray is being agitated to provide a uniform coverage of the surfaces of the mail items. In one embodiment, the contents of the incoming tray are then transferred to a receiving tray. The mail items in the receiving tray are exposed to neutralizing radiation while the receiving tray is being agitated to provide an even more uniform coverage of the irradiated surfaces. The receiving tray is conveyed out of the initial neutralizing sub-system to a feeder sub-system. The feeder sub-system provides the mail items from the receiving tray to a transport system.
The transport system provides the mail items to the analyzing sub-system. The analyzing sub-system obtains, while the mail items are being transported by the transport system, an indication of whether a mail item contains potentially hazardous materials. One embodiment of the analyzing sub-system uses intense backlighting techniques and an electronic imaging system and algorithm that looks for “Mounds” and “Speckles” within pieces. These Mounds and Speckles may indicate that a powder-like substance is within a mail item.
If a longer transport path and/or physical buffers are present in the transport sub-system, or if the time to analyze is increased or other techniques improve the analysis time required, other sources, such as X-rays, laser sources, and detection techniques, such as handwriting analysis, techniques for detecting hazardous materials, may be utilized.
The transport system provides the mail item from the analyzing sub-system to the neutralizer in order to expose the outer surfaces of the mail item to neutralizing radiation.
If the analyzing sub-system indicates that a mail item contains potentially hazardous materials, the mail item is diverted from the transport stream. The diverted mail item is isolated in a receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket). An alarm can be generated as the mail item is diverted to the secure out-sort pocket. The secure out-sort pocket can include a neutralizing radiation source. Others can be alerted upon receiving the alarm. The secure out-sort pocket can be removed.
While the above sequence of operations describes an embodiment of the present invention, other sequences of operations are also within the scope of this invention.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.
A comprehensive system and method of rendering the mail safe for handling and for detecting and containing suspect pieces that can be fitted or retrofitted into mail and package processing facilities with relative ease are disclosed hereinbelow.
Referring to
An embodiment of the initial neutralizing sub-system 12 of the present invention is shown in
In the embodiment shown in
An embodiment of a subsequent neutralizing sub-system 14 of this invention, located on transport (conveyor) system 22, is shown in
Another embodiment of the subsequent neutralizing sub-system 14 is shown in
An embodiment of an analyzing sub-system 14 of the present invention is shown in
In one embodiment, shown in
If the analyzing sub-system 14 indicates that a mail item contains potentially hazardous materials, the mail item is diverted from the transport stream of the transport system 22 by diverting mechanism 26. It should be noted that a variety of diverting mechanisms are known in the art. Exemplary diverting mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,928 (issued on Sep. 9, 1952), U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,655 (issued on Jan. 2, 1985), U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,396 (issued on Jul. 22, 1986), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,540 (issued on Dec. 9, 1986). Although these disclosed diverting mechanisms provide practical examples of diverting mechanisms, the present invention is not limited to these.
An embodiment of the receiving and holding sub-system 18 of the present invention is shown in
The receiving and holding sub-system 18 includes a component 450 capable of being operably connected to the transport system 22. In one embodiment, the component 450 enables attachment to new transport equipment via a standard “out-sort gate” or to existing transport equipment via an “end of machine” outlet. The component 450 may be permanently placed on the transport sub-system 22, and allows “docking” with positive rails and locks with the container 405. The receiving and holding sub-system (out-sort pocket) 18 may also include a radiation source 490 substantially located in the inner chamber 440. Locking mechanism 460 manually or automatically locks the cover 430 and disables the unidirectional passage. A handle 470 facilitates the removal and carrying of the container 405.
Operation of the system is initiated by receiving an incoming tray 30 at the initial neutralizing sub-system 12, the mail items being disposed inside the incoming tray. Referring to
Referring again to
In the embodiment of
The receiving tray 60 is conveyed to the movable section 80 of the structure 75 and is held in the movable section 80 by retaining means such as movable retainers. The exposure of the receiving tray 60 to neutralizing radiation while being subjected to agitating motion occurs at a location away from under the frame 40. Finally, positioning mechanism 62, such as, but not limited to, a pneumatic pusher, of conveys the receiving tray 60 through the radiation blocking component 87. An interlock system (not shown) prevents operation of the neutralizing system 12 if the system 12 is open to the ambient and radiation can escape. Also, radiation sources 65, 70 include appropriate cooling means and filtering of by-products of radiation exposure,
For continued operation, means for removing the incoming tray 30 and providing a new receiving tray 60 have to be included in the neutralizing system 12. In one embodiment (not shown), a supply sub-system, such as, but not limited to, a pallet-like system, supplies the receiving tray 60 and a similar system is used to remove the incoming tray 30 after the contents of the incoming tray 30 have been emptied onto the receiving tray 60. In another embodiment (also not shown) similar to that of
The mail items in the tray emerging from initial neutralizing system 12 are provided to the feeder sub-system 24. The feeder sub-system 24 provides the mail from the tray, after initial neutralization by neutralizing sub-system 12, to the transport system 22 (step 520,
The transport sub-system 22 provides the mail item to the analyzing sub-system 14. The analyzing sub-system 14 obtains an indication of whether a mail item 195 (
In the embodiment of
In one embodiment of the algorithm, the algorithm utilizes a conventional algorithm to obtain grayscale values and obtains “shadow” characteristics (gray scale gradients) around reductions in transmission that are potentially “clumps” or particles. The algorithm distinguishes between ordered reductions in transmission due to addresses, bar codes and the reductions in transmission due “clumps” and particles utilizing the specific shadow characteristics of the “clumps” and particles. The results of the analysis are compared to thresholds stored in memory 320 (
In another embodiment of the analyzing sub-system, the source of radiation 205 is an illumination source in the visible range of wavelengths. The mail item 195 is conveyed by transport system 22 and moves in the direction of the arrow. It should be noted that the means for transporting the mail item 195, the transport system 22 for example, can also include means for determining the speed of transport and position along the transport path (an encoder, for example). The determination of the speed and position allows a timing signal to be generated so that illumination can be synchronized with the position of the mail item 195. The source of radiation 205 and the detector 210 include optical elements designed to enable the generation of a digital image of the mail item 195. In one embodiment, the illumination source 100 includes an unsymmetrical elliptical reflector as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,841. In another embodiment, the illumination source 100 can include other optical elements so that when combined with the optical elements in the detector a desired image of the mail piece 10 is formed. Detector 210 could be, for example, a CCD detector or a CMOS detector. A digital image of the mail item 195 is obtained from the detector 210. It should be noted that the digital image could be obtained as an entire image or as a collection of line images depending on the structure of the detector used.
The digital image is then processed and the location and content of blocks containing relevant data (addresses, ZIP codes, etc.) identified (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,109). The algorithm that identifies the location containing relevant data can be, for example, the correlation and threshold algorithm disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,482 or the algorithm for detecting Areas of Interest (AOI) found in M. Wolf et al., “Fast Address Block Location in Handwritten and Printed Mail-piece Images”, Proc. Of the Fourth Intl. Conf. on Document Analysis and Recognition, vol.2, pp.753–757, Aug. 18–20, 1997, or the segmentation methods defined in P. W. Palumbo et al., “Postal Address Block Location in Real time”, Computer, Vol. 25, No. 7, pp. 34–42, July 1992, or the algorithm for generating address block candidates described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,450. Once the block is identified. The address blocks are then classified as such (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,450).
If the data in the blocks of interest is printed data, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques can be used to obtain the information in the blocks of interest. The identifying of the address blocks and the OCR is performed, in one embodiment, by processor 210 following instructions embodied in memory 320. The information obtained from the blocks of interest—addresses, ZIP codes, structure of the blocks, missing return address blocks, etc.—is compared against the database 230. (The information obtained from the blocks of interest could have been obtained in the normal processing of the mail and the radiation source and detector used could be those used for the electronic reading of addresses—OCR.) Database 230 contains known factors that would render a mail piece suspicious. Based on those factors—known suspicious names and addresses, known targeted addressees, known suspicious ZIP codes, structure of the blocks, missing return address blocks—a score or probability of suspiciousness is generated. An early warning criterion is applied by comparing the score to a threshold. If that score or probability exceeds the threshold, the early warning criterion indicates that the mail piece 195 is suspicious and may contain hazardous materials.
If a longer transport path and/or physical buffers are present in the transport sub-system 22, or if the time to analyze is increased or other techniques improve the analysis time required, other sources, such as X-rays, laser sources, and detection techniques, such as handwriting analysis, techniques for detecting hazardous materials, may be utilized. Sample possible analysis, sources and techniques are shown, but not limited to, in Table 1 below.
The transport sub-system 22 provides a mail item from the analyzing sub-system 14 to the neutralizer 16 in order to expose the outer surfaces of the mail item (step 540,
If the analyzing sub-system 14 indicates that a mail item contains potentially hazardous materials (step 550,
The diverted mail item is isolated in the receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket) 18. The diverted mail item is inserted into the out-sort pocket 18 through a cover 430 (
Control of the agitating motion, release of the removable retainers 50, control of the conveyors 33 and 90 and of the radiation sources 65 and 70 in the initial neutralizing sub-system 12, control of the radiation sources 135 in the neutralizing sub-system 16, timing of the radiation source 205,generation of an alarm signal, the analysis of detector data, the generation of an indication of the presence of hazardous materials in the analyzing sub-system 14, and the communication of the indication of the presence of hazardous materials in a given mail piece are examples of functions that may be performed by a processing/computing sub-system 20. The above list of functions is exemplary and is not deemed or meant to be exhaustive. The processing/computing sub-system 20 (
The sub-systems of this invention are easily retrofitted into existing mail transport and sorting systems. The neutralizing sub-system 16 and the analyzing sub-system 14 can be integrated into an existing mail transport (conveyor) system 22 or designed into a future one. Initial neutralizing sub-system 12 is placed at the initial point of a mail transport (conveyor) system 22, thereby enabling retrofit or design into a future system.
The embodiments described above have been described with respect to a mail item. “Mail Item”, as used herein, refers to any addressed object in a package or mail delivery system or any item being delivered by means of a mass distribution system.
As used herein, the term “neutralizing” refers to deactivating, degrading, rendering substantially harmless, decontaminating, and/or sterilizing any hazardous agent detected. For example, if a bio-hazard, such as anthrax, is detected, “neutralizing” means treating it so that it is not a substantial, or any, risk to people, such as by subjecting the anthrax to UV-C radiation or ionizing radiation (such as, but not limited to, Cobalt-60).
As used herein, the term “neutralizing radiation source” refers to a radiation source utilized to neutralize mail items, to a radiation source utilized to neutralize the mail and to by-products of utilizing the radiation source if the by-products also assist in neutralizing the mail items, and also to other neutralizing sources such as, but not limited to, chlorine dioxide or ozone.
Although the system of this invention is described herein above with the three in-line sub-systems, initial neutralizing sub-system 12, a subsequent neutralizing sub-system 16, an analyzing sub-system 14, and one off-line sub-system, receiving and holding sub-system (secure out-sort pocket) 18, it should be noted that alternative embodiments of the system 10 can be configured with more components or fewer components depending on system specifications. In one embodiment, a number of subsequent neutralizing sub-system 16 are placed along the transport path of the transport system 22 in order to render both the mail items and sections of the path substantially neutralized. The operation of the system of this invention is described herein above with one order of operations, it should be noted that the order of operation of the analyzing sub-system 14 and the neutralizing sub-system 16 can be interchanged without affecting the benefits of this invention. Therefore, the number of components shown and the order of the operations should not be considered a limitation to this invention.
An alternative application of this invention could include the neutralization of many common bacteria, viruses and molds to prevent the spread of diseases via the mail.
Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for rendering mail items safe for handling, the method comprising the steps of:
- neutralizing the mail items to render the mail items substantially safe for handling before entering a transport sub-system;
- providing the mail items to the transport sub-system;
- exposing outer surfaces of at least one of the mail items to neutralizing radiation while the at least one of the mail items is being transported by the transport sub-system;
- analyzing the at least one of the mail items;
- the analyzing comprising: illuminating the at least one of the mail items with a light source; detecting light transmitted through the at least one of the mail items;
- diverting the at least one of the mail items based on said analysis.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of neutralizing the mail items comprises the steps of:
- receiving an incoming tray having the mail items disposed therein;
- exposing the mail items in the incoming tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the incoming tray.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of neutralizing the mail items further comprises the steps of:
- emptying the incoming tray onto a receiving tray;
- exposing the mail items in the receiving tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the receiving tray.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items comprises the steps of:
- exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items to neutralizing radiation while the at least one of the mail items is being transported under a housing to substantially avoid escape of neutralizing radiation.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one of the mail items further comprises the step of:
- removing by-products of the exposure to the neutralizing radiation.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing the mail items comprises the steps of:
- transporting the at least one of the mail items through an operational area;
- sensing the presence of a potentially hazardous material in the at least one of the mail items.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
- receiving and holding the diverted at least one of the mail items.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving and holding said diverted one of the mail items further comprises the steps of:
- isolating the diverted at least one of the mail items.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of receiving and holding said diverted one of the mail items further comprises the steps of:
- neutralizing the diverted at least one of the mail items.
10. A system for rendering mail items safe for handling, the system comprising:
- a neutralizing sub-system capable of rendering the mail items substantially neutralized and safe for handling before entering a transport sub-system;
- a neutralizing sub-system capable of exposing outer surfaces of at least one of mail items to neutralizing radiation while the mail items are being transported by the transport sub-system;
- an analyzing sub-system capable of obtaining, while the mail items are being transported by the transport sub-system, an indication of whether the at least one of the mail items contains potentially hazardous materials;
- said analyzing sub-system comprising: a light source operatively positioned to illuminate the mail items while being transported; and a detector capable of detecting light transmitted through the mail items;
- a diverting mechanism capable of diverting mail items.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:
- a receiving and holding sub system capable of receiving the diverted mail items.
12. The system of claim 10 further comprising:
- a processing and computing sub-system.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the analyzing sub-system further comprises:
- at least one processor receiving and processing data from said detector.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the neutralizing sub-system capable of substantially neutralizing mail items before entering a transport sub-system further comprises:
- a structure capable of receiving an incoming tray and having a movable section;
- an actuator device operably connected to the structure; and,
- a neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the incoming tray.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the neutralizing sub-system capable of neutralizing outer surfaces of at least one of mail items further comprises:
- a housing having a first open end, a second open end;
- at least one radiation source substantially located within said housing and capable of substantially illuminating the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item;
- an interlock system capable of preventing operation of the at least one radiation source under preselected conditions.
16. An neutralizing system for rendering mail pieces substantially safe for handling, the neutralizing system comprising:
- a structure capable of receiving an incoming tray and capable of movement;
- said structure comprising a frame, said frame being capable of receiving and holding the incoming tray and capable of movement with respect to another section of said structure; an actuator device operably connected to the frame; and,
- a neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the incoming tray.
17. The neutralizing system of claim 16 wherein the frame includes removable retainers capable of retaining the incoming tray.
18. The neutralizing system of claim 16 further comprising:
- a receiving tray capable of receiving contents of the incoming tray;
- another structure capable of receiving and holding the receiving tray and capable of constrained movement;
- another actuator device operably connected to the another structure; and
- another neutralizing radiation source in operational relationship to the receiving tray.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:
- a conveying sub system capable of conveying the receiving tray away from the frame.
20. A neutralizing system for exposing outer surfaces of at least one mail item while the at least one mail item is being transported by a transport system, the neutralizing system comprising:
- a housing having a first open end, a second open end;
- at least one radiation source substantially located within said housing and capable of substantially illuminating the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item;
- a first radiation blocking component disposed in the interior of said housing, in proximity to the first open end and substantially across a transport path; said first radiation blocking component being capable of preventing radiation from emanating from the first open end;
- a second radiation blocking component disposed in the interior of said housing, in proximity to the second open end and substantially across a transport path; said second radiation blocking component being capable of radiation from emanating from the second open end;
- an interlock system capable of preventing operation of the at least one radiation source under preselected conditions.
21. The system of claim 20 further comprising:
- a filtering sub-system capable of removing by-products produced by the at least one radiation source.
22. The system of claim 20 wherein a path traversed by the at least one mail item within the housing while being transported by the transport system constitutes a non-collinear path.
23. The system of claim 20 wherein a mid-width at a mid-point between the first open end and the second open end is larger than a first end width at the first open end and is larger than a second end width at the second open end.
24. A method for rendering mail pieces substantially safe for handling, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving an incoming tray having the mail items disposed therein;
- transporting the incoming tray though a radiation blocking component;
- exposing the mail items in the incoming tray, after transporting though a radiation blocking component, to neutralizing radiation while agitating the incoming tray.
25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:
- emptying the incoming tray onto a receiving tray;
- exposing the mail items in the receiving tray to neutralizing radiation while agitating the receiving tray.
26. A method for exposing outer surfaces of the at least one mail item, the method comprising the steps of:
- exposing the outer surfaces of the at least one mail item to neutralizing radiation while the at least one mail item is being transported under a housing to substantially avoid escape of neutralizing radiation;
- providing radiation blocking components located substantially across a path of transport under the housing; and
- substantially blocking escape of radiation from inlet and outlet sides of the housing.
2609928 | September 1952 | Doust |
3592326 | July 1971 | Zimmerle et al. |
3995741 | December 7, 1976 | Henderson |
4494655 | January 22, 1985 | Horii et al. |
4601396 | July 22, 1986 | Pavie |
4627540 | December 9, 1986 | Takeda |
4769551 | September 6, 1988 | Hamashima et al. |
4877964 | October 31, 1989 | Tanaka et al. |
4918315 | April 17, 1990 | Gomberg et al. |
5147031 | September 15, 1992 | Carpenter |
5337581 | August 16, 1994 | Lott |
5386482 | January 31, 1995 | Basso et al. |
5401973 | March 28, 1995 | McKeown et al. |
5424547 | June 13, 1995 | Stark et al. |
5434045 | July 18, 1995 | Jost |
5606169 | February 25, 1997 | Hiller et al. |
5700426 | December 23, 1997 | Schmitthaeusler et al. |
5719678 | February 17, 1998 | Reynolds et al. |
5830419 | November 3, 1998 | Held et al. |
5917925 | June 29, 1999 | Moore |
5958336 | September 28, 1999 | Duarte |
5994706 | November 30, 1999 | Allen et al. |
6000555 | December 14, 1999 | Anma |
6014450 | January 11, 2000 | Heilper et al. |
6071440 | June 6, 2000 | Wang et al. |
6135292 | October 24, 2000 | Pettner |
6171548 | January 9, 2001 | Rose et al. |
6228330 | May 8, 2001 | Herrmann et al. |
6289109 | September 11, 2001 | Gocht et al. |
6320933 | November 20, 2001 | Grodzins et al. |
6426507 | July 30, 2002 | Rangwalla et al. |
6707049 | March 16, 2004 | Lyons et al. |
6742703 | June 1, 2004 | Esakov et al. |
20030145664 | August 7, 2003 | Schwarz et al. |
20030222132 | December 4, 2003 | Esakov et al. |
WO 83/00972 | March 1983 | WO |
- U.S. Appl. No. 60/344,843, filed Dec. 31, 2001, entitled System and Method of Detecting, Neutralizing, and Containing Suspected Contaminated Articles. Applicant: Steven E. Flores.
- M. Wolf et al., “Fast Address Block Location in Handwritten and Printed Mail-piece Images”, Proc. of the Fourth Intl. Conf. on Document Analysis and Recognition, vol. 2, pp. 753-757, Aug. 18-20, 1997.
- P.W. Palumbo et al., “Postal Address Block Location in Real Time”, Computer, vol. 25, No. 7, pp. 34-42, Jul. 1992.
- Partial International Search Report dated Jul. 15, 2004 for PCT/US02/41840. Applicant: Lockheed Martin Cooperation.
- U.S. Postal Service Emergency Preparedness Plan for Protecting Postal Employees and Postal Customers from Exposure to Biohazardous Material and for Ensuring Mail Security Against Bioterror Attacks; Mar. 6, 2002; published by USPS.
Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 31, 2002
Date of Patent: Jul 24, 2007
Patent Publication Number: 20030136920
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Bethesda, MD)
Inventors: Juan E. Flores (Owasso, OK), Charles E. Davis (Claremore, OK)
Primary Examiner: Jack I. Berman
Attorney: Burns & Levinson LLP
Application Number: 10/335,501
International Classification: G21K 5/10 (20060101); G01N 21/17 (20060101);